DGAP-News

freenet AG improves earnings figures in the third quarter and at the same time increases number of contract customers significantly - Seite 2

postpaid ARPU from new customers is developing in a stable manner.
No-frills ARPU was lower year-on-year at 2.9 euros (previous year: 3.5
euros).

Group revenue amounting to 762.1 million euros was generated in the third
quarter (previous year: 789.6 million euros). This development is
attributable in particular to reduced business activity from hardware sales
with very low or no margins. An additional factor in this development was
the lower average revenue per customer (ARPU) in the postpaid customer
segment. The mobile communications business segment remained dominant
within the Group with revenue amounting to 749.9 million euros (previous
year: 781.6 million euros). In the first nine months of the current
financial year, Group revenue fell by 7.1 per cent to 2,206.9 million euros
(previous year: 2,374.5 million euros).

In the last quarter, gross profits increased to 194.2 million euros - an
increase of 12.6 million euros over the same quarter last year (previous
year: 181.6 million euros) - mainly as a result of the increased number of
business activities with higher margins. In the first nine months of 2014,
gross profits grew by 35.8 million euros to their present level of 567.3
million euros (previous year: 531.5 million euros), representing a gross
profit margin of 25.7 per cent (previous year: 22.4 per cent).

"The results once again reflect the impact of the continuous improvement in
our operational performance processes. This relates not only to the
development and selling of innovative digital lifestyle products and
services, but also to the diversity of efficiency improvements in our core
business of mobile communications," explains Christoph Vilanek, CEO of
freenet AG, adding: "In this way, we are cementing our sustainable
readiness to tackle the challenges that lie ahead in our market."

Accordingly, Group EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortisation) increased to 96.3 million euros (previous year: 92.6
million euros) in the reporting period. Group EBITDA totalling 269.3
million euros was reported for the first nine months of 2014 (previous
year: 263.0 million euros).

Depreciation and amortisation increased by 1.3 million euros to 15.3
million euros in the third quarter (previous year: 14.0 million euros).
This increase primarily resulted from the intangible assets that were
recognised within the framework of the purchase price allocation for the
acquisition of the freenet digital Group.

Taking into account income tax expenses totalling 5.4 million euros